Bill would increase disclosure requirements for state-paid travel

A bill that would require state officials to report out-of-state travel and security expenses to the Texas Ethics Commission and potentially require them to reimburse state funds spent on unofficial business was considered but left pending in a committee hearing Wednesday.

State Rep. Lyle Larson (File Photo, San Antonio Express-News)

State Rep. Lyle Larson, a Republican from San Antonio, laid out his HB 160 to members of the State Affairs committee.

“It is not directed at Gov. Perry. It’s not directed at President Bush or Gov. Richards, its about reforming a system we all agree from a common sense perspective that if you’re not involved in state related business there’s no reason for us to pay those expenses,” Larson said.

The bill would require office holders to file a disclosure with the Ethics Commission that includes the date, location, purpose and cost of the expense. The commission would be charged with reviewing disclosures and deciding whether the costs incurred by taxpayers were for official state business. If not, the official would be required to reimburse the state.

Larson’s bill was filed on the heels of a failed presidential run by Gov. Rick Perry that racked up over $2.3 million in out-of-state security costs, as Austin Bureau Chief Peggy Fikac has reported.

Larson pointed toward governor’s in other states including South Carolina and Massachusetts that reimburse the state for security costs. His bill, sponsored by members of both parties, was left pending in committee.

State Rep. Rafael Anchia, a Democrat from Dallas who reported his bill to the committee directly after Larson, joked with committee members and his colleague that Larson should “check his tires and his brake cables.”